Lee Jeans launches "Back to Nature" collection, a fully biodegradable denim capsule collection

Denim brand, Lee Jeans continues its pledge to become more sustainable with the launch of "Back to Nature", a capsule collection of denim pieces that can be composted when they are no longer in use.

The capsule collection consists of four items; for men, the brand’s signature Rider jacket and Rider jeans in a rigid ecru denim and for women, an elongated and belted version of the Rider Jacket and wide-leg jeans in rigid ecru denim.

The collection has been designed using compostable linen-cotton yarns (85% cotton and 15% flax linen), and no rivets - which are typically made of metal. Also, the leather waistband patch has been replaced with Jacron, a soft faux-suede material made from cellulose.

The products’ composition allows buyers to remove buttons (which can be reused) and then throw away the item to compost where they will completely biodegrade.

Director of Sustainability at Lee Jeans, Roian Atwood told the Evening Standard: “The most critical emerging environmental problem that our industry is going to face is pollution due to the increased amount of synthetics in denim products and the creation therefore of microplastics. This polyester sheds and comes off via pilling into very small, tiny pieces into the ambient environment, which is why we are finding microplastics all throughout the globe.”

Sustainability has been a key focus for denim brand, which last month launched a new global platform named “For A World That Works”, as well as a new eco-friendly denim line named “Indigood”.

A number of fashion retailers are incorporating biodegradable fabrics and materials into their collections with an increasing demographic of consumers seeking sustainable apparel. Recently, British designer, Stella McCartney and Dutch denim brand Denham have each announced the launch of their own biodegradable denim jeans.